Clown Beetle

Hypocaccus lucidulus

Order:

Coleoptera

Family:

Histeridae

Another clown beetle present on the beach, H. lucidulus has uniform reddish coloring, grooves along its elytra and a pitted pronotum. Their size is 1.5mm to 2.5mm. H. lucidulus are uncommon but can be seen with other clown beetles under kelp wrack. They retract their head and limbs in response to disturbances like other clown beetles. These beetles are likely herbivores and potentially are scavengers, though no dietary links are known for certain.